“There are so many differences in this ichthyosaur that make it unique enough for its own species and species,” says paleontologist Megan L. Said Jacobs. “New late Jurassic ichthyosaurs from the United Kingdom are extremely rare, as these animals have been studied for over 200 years. We knew it was new almost immediately, but to make sure our instincts were true, it took about a year to make a complete comparison with all the other heavenly Jurassic ichthyosaurs. It was so exciting not to get a match. “
Illustration of Thalesodraco Ichesi. Credit: Megan Jacobs
This particular specimen was discovered in 2009 and will be approximately 6 feet long. Fossil Collector Steve Aches M.B.E. It was discovered after a “rock broke on the beach”.
It seems to have some similarities with a sperm whale with its “extremely deep rib cage” that can allow larger lungs and space so that internal organs are not crushed under pressure. His eyes were also large, meaning he could see well in low light.
Hundreds of its tiny teeth indicate a diet that includes squid and small fish, and “teeth are unique because they are perfectly smooth.”
Photo of the Sea Dragon (Thalesodraco eches) Fossil (MJML K1885) Credit: The Election Collection, Dorset, UK
“They had to breathe air in the surface and there were no scales,” Jacobs said. “Hardly anything is known about the biology of these animals. We can only guess from the fossils we have, but there is nothing like that around us today. Eventually, in order to adapt to being a complete aquatic, they could no longer go to the ground to lay eggs, so they grew into living young, tail-bearing. Skeletons with babies have also been found inside the mother and she was also actually born. ”
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Adam Bakhhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter MadAmadBankhurst And on Twitch.
